Before Christmas, Matt Hyde and I met with a member of the Cabinet Office team and discussed the very issue of policies within the Civil Service, amongst other topics. We understand that some progress has been made particularly with the Department for Work and Pensions and the Department of Health, who have confirmed that their staff would be eligible to volunteer for Scouting and use their special/volunteering leave accordingly.

We are still waiting to hear from HMRC, which would be of particular interest given the problems you have told me about previously and which still persist.

So many of you kindly contacted me following my previous blog; I am keen to hear from all Scouting volunteers within the Civil Service and local government concerning your current experience of having your volunteering recognised and valued by your employer in whatever way.